Some cat breeds, such as Siamese, are more talkative than others but all
cats express themselves, whether they meow, purr, through their positions and behavior.
When the cat communicates with their human, it is up to the human to work out
what they are saying. All cats know how to interact and communicate with
humans. To get attention they have developed different meows but the human will
need to learn and practice a little to understand them
Cat purrs
It is still a mystery how and why a cat purrs, even
though some specialists have suggested explanations. The sound happens when the
cat breathes out. The larynx contracting causes the cat’s vocal cords to
vibrate. However, though often interpreted as a sign of pleasure and well-being,
it is ambiguous as it can also indicate suffering. A suffering cat will purr
for reassurance, so it can also be a sign of illness or pain.
Kittens start to purr at two days old when they are
feeding. So a litter of kittens can sound very impressive. When adult, the cat
purrs when stroked, some will also purr when they are fed. If you think about
it you can understand that a cat will purr when suffering as it can remind them
of when they were happy with their mother and feeding. Humans stroking a cat that
is purring can also share the anti-stress properties of the purr. It is also
possible that purring can accelerate healing.
Meowing for Humans
Cats do not meow between themselves. They have other
vocalisations, such as the male’s war cry when it meets a rival or the female’s
plaintive call when she is in heat and wants to attract a mate. Meowing is the
way that cats communicate with humans. Wild or feral cats meow very little or
not at all. Other noises that cats make, such as the chirping that a cat makes
when it sees a bird it can’t get can be confused with meows. However, the usual
meow, with its variations of tone and intensity are reserved for humans.
Learning Cat Language
Humans come to understand their cats over time. Emotional
proximity to the cat makes it much easier to communicate. Cats can learn the
human words that concern her and are frequently repeated. In the same way, a
human can learn the meanings and intentions of his cat’s meows.
The sounds can obviously vary according to the sex and breed
of the cat, so the verbal communications of each cat is unique and means you
can recognise the calls of your own cat from others.
Non-verbal Communication
Cats use different forms of communication such as movement,
the way he moves his tails of rolls over, or yawns, hissing, spitting… Cat
communications is mainly non-verbal. It is about postures and movement, using
her whole body, rolling onto her back or using just one part such as her tail.
Their repertoire can also include coughing, hissing or grunting which can be
combined with a threat, defence or attacking posture, with bristling hair.
Cats assume that their humans also use gestures and
positions. So she is very sensitive to your movements. So you need to be very
careful when you are near her so you don’t worry her.
Eyes, Tail and Ears – All Language
The cat can also use the position of their tail and ears to
communicate. A tail raised in the shape of a question mark is a sign of welcome
and joy. However, if the tail is low, the cat is afraid. The tail becomes
bristly if the cat is angry or aggressive. A cat that wags its tail is showing
excitement. The language of the tail is also combined with ear position. The
ears will be back when the cat is frightened or feeling aggressive, straight or
pointing forward if they are interested. If her eyes are dilated, this is a
sign of excitement. A cat that feels at ease or cares for their human they
blink their eyes several times.
I Love You!
The attention that a cat lavishes on their human has meaning.
When she rubs her body round your legs it is a way of putting her scent on you
sot show that you belong to her. If she rubs you with her head or tails, she is
giving you a warm welcome and saying she loves you. Some cats use these actions
to request food or attention as well. When the cat wants to groom you, she is
showing you affection. The cat may want to groom you by licking your fingers or
face, touching you like a kiss or nibbling your hair.
Caution – Misunderstanding cat lying on her back
People tend to think that if a cat lies on her back she wants
to pay or want you to stroke her tummy. As most cats hate being touched, you
risk being bitten or scratched. Very confident cats can tolerate having their
tummies stoked for a few moments. There can be several meanings for a cat lying
on her back, the most common is that the cat feels happy and relaxed, which is
not an invitation to disturb her. During the mating season, both males and
females will express excitement by rolling on their backs, sometimes in
circles. This leaves smell marks on the floor, making meeting easier.
How does a cat communicate discomfort?
Cats are extremely resilient to pay and show very little. So
it is difficult to know if they are suffering and if you should take them to
the vets. A cat that growls, grumbles or tries to bite when you touch could be
seriously injured (scratched or with an abscess), a cat that is curled up and
not moving or walks carefully will need to see the vet.
A really relaxed Ziggy!
